Helen Wood has been guaranteed a place in the final of the latest series of Big Brother.

The 27-year-old, who achieved a measure of notoriety when she reportedly had an affair with England footballer Wayne Rooney, was given the prize on only the second night of the reality show.

She was chosen to receive special treatment by Wolverhampton singer Pauline Bennett, who was voted to be the "power housemate" and given a "power trip" to choose who to punish and reward.

Wood, from Bolton, put her hand over her mouth before exclaiming "Oh my God!" when she was told the news.

She was then showered in gold ticker-tape and told by Big Brother to stand in a glass box.

Bennett, who performed on Kylie Minogue's single Shocked under her stage name Jazzy P, wiped tears from her eyes when she saw Wood's reaction, and said: "I'm happy".

Tomorrow she will be forced to choose a contestant for the "killer nomination". Whoever she picks will be up eviction every week.

Last night's show saw s ix new contestants enter the house, including an out-of-work actor and a model who usually lives at home with his mother.

The housemates joined the 10 who moved in on Thursday night.

They include 26-year-old Ash Harrison, from Manchester, who describes himself as " a younger, better-looking version" of David Beckham and Ashleigh Coyle, from Londonderry, who wants to win so she can give some of the prize money to charity and take her family on holiday.

Other contestants include Chris Wright, an actor from Hampshire, who says he is "obsessively polite" and has gone into the house for the " free rent, to lose weight and I can't afford therapy".

The first night saw Liverpudlian Mark Byron receive a reward of £5,000 within an hour of being in the house after being chosen by Pauline.

But Hertfordshire man Matthew Davies was selected for punishment, and was to be completely excluded from the first night of the show.

Also in the house is Glaswegian Danielle McMahon, who insists her career as an underwear model does not clash with her devout Catholicism.

The 25-year-old said she might fall out with "liberal girls" who tell vulgar stories and described herself as having " class, flair and charisma".

Other housemates include Californian Kimberly Kisselovich, a Playboy Bunny who also works as a lawyer, and Steven Goode, from Hertfordshire.

The Channel 5 show, hosted by Emma Willis, also features former Celebrity Big Brother winner Rylan, who is presenting the spin-off show Bit On The Side.